Polite Society

Chapter 1

Homecoming

The distant rumble of the hard earth is what she heard first followed by the sound of a horse. She looked up and to her frustration her bonnet flew off of her head right into the figure on the horse. The sun was shining right into her round face so she was unable to see the person who was sitting upon the horse. She stood in anticipation as she saw the figure catch the bonnet and halt the massive horse to a stop. She looked up and recognized the mysterious figure as none other than her best friend and love of her life, Colin Bridgerton. Smiling and apologizing she blushes but is quickly interrupted by Colin swiftly hopping off his horse to give her a much too generous kiss (for polite society's standards) on the cheek. She opened her mouth to speak to the angelic man but was quickly interrupted by the sound of stomping feet which was followed by a loud thudding.

"Penelope Featherington! Open this door or I will have Varley rip it off the wall!" her mother Portia yelled.

Penelope shot up in her bed red, flushed and angry. Ever since two seasons ago when she overheard Colin Bridgerton proudly say to a group of gentlemen that he would never court her, she had been frustrated to say the least. After that year's season Colin left to go adventure the world some more leaving precious Penelope all alone. Colin would send letters every two weeks to Penelope but as she was still fuming at him she simply put them under a loose floorboard. Specifically under the floorboard that held every memento, letter, or trinket that reminded her of him. She had kept derby tickets, leaves, flowers, every letter he had ever sent her, and even her bonnet that started this hellish obsession. She had decided that enough was enough after overhearing that conversation. Her crush (obsession) with Mister Colin Bridgerton had to come to an end for her own sake. This dream of hers had so rudely interrupted her Colin-less bliss she had created throughout the past couple of years.

"Penelope did you not hear me? Make haste and open the door!!" Portia screamed at Penelope.

"Yes mama! I am coming," Penelope shouted out as she heaved her frame up from the comfort of her bed.

As she opened the door she was promptly greeted by the sight of her mother already dressed to attack the day. Portia was known for her over the top styles ranging from the large feathers in her hair to the bedazzled gowns she wore on the daily. Portia was dressed in the bright Featherington yellow that had bright green beading done all over the dress in floral patterns. The green beads were matched by the large green feathers coming from her auburn locks that to Penelope, made her look like a feral peacock.

Portia shoved a paper towards Penelope quickly and walked into her bed chambers, without invitation Penelope noted. Penelope's face quickly dropped when she read the publication as the dear Lady Whistledown had written in her newest addition that the third son of the late Viscount Bridgerton would be back home for the season and intended to stay. Considering Penelope herself was Lady Whistledown, she should not have been so surprised nor hurt as she was the one that wrote it.

"Well?" Portia impatiently said to her third daughter.

"What great news for the other ladies of the ton. I have no doubt Mister Bridgerton will find an excellent bride indeed," she responded with a grimace.

Portia threw her hands up in the air with a scoff, "Not just any lady of the ton Penelope! He shall marry Felicity," she stated with confidence.

Penelope clutched the pamphlet in anger and quickly snapped out, "No he will not. Felicity is the age of his youngest sister Hyacinth. He would not do that."

"Well seeing as you have no prospects of wedding the man I have to hold hope that your younger sister can wed him. She is of marrying age you know" Portia spat out with a condescending tone.